Young people's mental health is under pressure. One in seven young people experiences depressive thoughts, and one in three experiences performance pressure. This must change. Together with young people, policymakers, entrepreneurs and scientists, among others, the MIND Us foundation will create a platform where young people feel seen and heard. It will do so by promoting collaboration between existing organisations, encouraging (innovative) initiatives and increasing attention to mental health among young people. MIND Us was established with (expertise and financial) support from the MIND foundation, and this joint foundation will also form the basis for close cooperation in its implementation.
Working visit in Rotterdam
MIND Us was launched following a working visit by Queen Máxima to Quardin in Rotterdam on 30 March. She was accompanied by State Secretary Van Ooijen of Health, Welfare and Sport. During the working visit, three areas of young people's lives that MIND Us will focus on were discussed: education, neighbourhood and leisure, and online. In a classroom, Queen Máxima and State Secretary Van Ooijen spoke with students from secondary education, vocational education, universities of applied sciences and universities about what they need in education to be and remain mentally healthy. During the neighbourhood/leisure segment, attention was paid to the power of music to help young people express themselves; they discussed sport and performance pressure and visited a walk-in facility for lonely young people. Finally, Queen Máxima and State Secretary Van Ooijen attended a brainstorming session on mental health in the online environment in which young people live. This covered, among other things, social media, apps and online support services.
Over the coming months, MIND Us's programme and activities will be developed further. As was the case during the preparation of the plan, many young people will be consulted, MIND Us will approach and visit existing initiatives, and MIND Us will call on young people to submit ideas. On 1 November, MIND Us will announce more details about its activities at an event.
Photo caption: Queen Máxima discusses the area of education with students during the working visit to Quardin in Rotterdam on 30 March. Photo credit: MIND – Robin Utrecht.